Electrical Safety checks

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Requirement by Law

Government regulations that came into place in March 2021 now require electrical safety checks and services to be carried out on all rental properties by a licensed electrician every 2 years.

It also dictates that all smoke alarms must be tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions and replaced if required at least once every 12 months.

Where we can help:

Testing of switchboard

At Shannon Thomas Electrical, we conduct a thorough switchboard test including:

• Visual inspection
• Checking all fuses for signs of damage or overheating and appropriateness of Amp rated fuse wire/cartridges and replace any damaged fuses
• Checking all individual breakers for compliance & correct Amp rating and replace any faulty breakers
• Checking that type of wiring is appropriate, compliant and neither exposed nor damaged
• Main earthing system compliance testing
• Safety switch testing and reset and replacement of any faulty or damaged items

Why it’s important?

The condition and correct operation of a property’s switchboard is critical to home safety. Ensuring there is no exposed wiring, that fuses and breakers are undamaged and compliant and that safety switches (where installed) are operating as expected.

In Australia, 15 people are killed and 300 hospitalised every year due to electrical accidents in the home. As at December 2019, 40% of homes were unprotected by safety switches. Even where safety switches are present, in 30% of homes it protects only power outlet circuits (and not light circuits).

Where we identify a switchboard with breakers but no safety switches, we will complete an insulation resistance test, to measure the total resistance between any two points separated by electrical insulation.

Testing of every accessible power point in the home

In addition to a switchboard testing, we also test all accessible power point in the home. This includes:  

• A visual inspection
• Earth continuity tests (or can be substituted with earth loop impedance tests)
• Voltage and polarity tests

Why it's important?

These tests ensure that earth connections are undamaged and uncorroded. Earth connections in power points can often be damaged by a range of factors such as insulation being crimped under screw terminals, loose connections or too small a wire being used.

When earth connections are working as they should, then if a faulty appliance were to be used, or a child were to insert a metal object into the power point, the safety mechanisms at the switchboard will be triggered and the occupant will not be electrocuted. A damaged earth connection can also result in increased fire risk.

Checks of each landlord supplied electrical appliance

As part of our comprehensive electrical safety check, we conduct checks of each landlord supplied electrical appliance including:   

• Visual inspection of each appliance and assessment as to whether accessible and in good operating condition
• Checks for faulty or damaged plugs or leads
• Earth continuity test where the appliance frame is metal and/or conductive
• Checks of all accessible light switches for compliance and replace faulty or damaged items (excluding globes)
• Checks of all overhead fans for compliance